Exchange 2007, Forefront for Exchange Ship

Microsoft released Exchange 2007 to manufacturing late Thursday, right on schedule. Accompanying it was Forefront Security for Exchange Server.

The package was officially rolled out on November 30 along with Windows Vista and Office 2007. (See "Vista Sets Sail Alongside New Office, Exchange," November 30, 2006.)

The company has said it has concentrated on three main themes in this release -- anywhere access, including Microsoft's unified communications plans, as well as built-in protection and operational efficiency.

Among the enhancements in Exchange 2007 are the ability for users of handheld devices to search for messages that they have deleted from the handheld but still reside on the server. Also included are improved meeting handling, self-service remote device wipe through Outlook Web Access, support for HTML e-mail and the ability to flag messages.

Exchange 2007 also enables improved collaboration through a feature called Calendar Concierge and out-of-office improvements, which depend on Office 2007, as well, according to the company.

Meanwhile, Forefront Security for Exchange Server is based on Sybari’s Antigen for Exchange, which Microsoft acquired last year. The package ships with nine scan engines from leading security vendors which are integrated and managed in a single solution to provide comprehensive layered protection against the latest threats.